Jeremiah Smith’s latest commercial offered humor, good acting chops, and a strong message for the archrivals, the Michigan Wolverines. 

In a rendition of the iconic “This is SportsCenter” commercials, Smith’s employees of the ‘JJ Enterproses Inc.’ are seen dealing with his many quirks.

But the Ohio Buckeyes' star wide receiver topped it all off by making a rude gesture at an employee for wearing a blue-and-yellow tie. Those are Michigan State's colors.

A hilarious shot showed a confused employee with a messily chopped-off tie.

The advertisement by Battle Sports, a football equipment and apparel company, was just another opportunity for Smith to express his hatred for the Wolverines.

The Buckeyes’ star wide receiver made headlines in November 2025 ( anniversary of “The Game,” more on which later) when he said there’s just something about the program he hates.

Smith even vowed never to lose to them again. 

“I’m not a sore loser, but I hate losing, and losing to That Team Up North was pretty crazy,” he told The Athletic. “I just hate them. Just something about them. For the next two years, I promise you, I will not lose to them.”

But what fueled Smith’s hatred and the historic Michigan-Ohio rivalry? Well, there is an answer, and it leaves bitterness for the Buckeyes.  

A Narrowly Lost 2024 Game That Changed Jeremiah Smith for the Better

“The Game,” a matchup between the two programs on 30th November 2024, was the pinnacle of their deep-seated rivalry. Smith and Co. lost 13-10, and he took the game’s outcome and his disappointing performance to heart. 

The 20-year-old caught Buckeyes’ only touchdown of the game, but ended the game with five receptions from seven targets for 35 yards. This was the third-lowest production in the season. 

The game certainly pressed a button in Smith, who recorded six catches and scored two touchdowns for 103 yards in a 42-17 victory against the Tennessee Volunteers. 

That game was the first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff. 

Smith followed it up with seven receptions and two touchdowns for 187 yards in the quarter-final against the Oregon Ducks. In 2025, the Buckeyes wiped the floor with Michigan in a resounding 27-9 victory.

Smith scored a scrimmage touchdown from his three receptions for 35 yards. Overall, he ended the season with 87 receptions, 12 touchdowns, and 1,243 yards. 

Apart from the field, the sophomore has also lit up every commercial he has featured in. Some of them are the American Eagle, Adidas, and 7-Eleven. Smith is also the first college athlete to be featured on a limited-edition Red Bull can.

What do you think of Smith’s message? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Kalp Thaker